Frederic Melton
Jalapenos stuffed with cheese are a great snack or appetiser, and can be made in a variety of ways. The jalapenos can be baked, grilled, or cooked in an air fryer, and are often stuffed with a mixture of cream cheese, shredded cheese, and other ingredients such as bacon, sausage, or herbs and spices. When preparing jalapenos for stuffing, it is recommended to wear gloves to protect your hands from the burn of jalapeno oil, and to remove the seeds and membranes with a small spoon or paring knife.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Cheese | Cream Cheese, Cheddar Cheese, Jack Cheese, Smoked Cheddar, Mexican Cheese Blends |
| Other Ingredients | Bacon, Sausage, Onions, Cilantro, Cumin, BBQ Sauce, Brown Sugar, Old Bay, Honey, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Dried Parsley, Taco Seasoning, Worcestershire Sauce |
| Oven Temperature | 375°F-400°F |
| Baking Time | 10-30 minutes |
| Gloves | Recommended to protect hands from the burn of jalapeño oil |
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What You'll Learn
Halving and deseeding jalapenos
To halve and deseed jalapenos, start by using a sharp knife to cut the jalapenos in half lengthwise, keeping the stem on if possible. Be careful when cutting to ensure an even cut and a stable base for stuffing. Once halved, use a small spoon, such as a grapefruit spoon, to scrape out and discard the seeds and ribs from each jalapeno half. You can also use a paring knife to carefully remove the seeds and membranes. If you want to add some extra heat to your stuffed jalapenos, you can mince the tops and mix them into your filling.
Preparing jalapenos in this way ensures that they are ready to be stuffed with your desired filling. Whether you choose a cream cheese, cheddar cheese, or meat-based filling, halving and deseeding jalapenos creates the perfect boat-shaped vessel for your chosen ingredients.
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Choosing and preparing the cheese
When choosing a cheese to stuff your jalapenos with, there are a few factors to consider. Firstly, you'll want to choose a cheese that melts well and has a strong flavour that can stand up to the heat of the jalapeno. Some popular options include cream cheese, cheddar cheese, pepper jack cheese, and queso fresco.
If you're looking for a creamy and tangy filling, cream cheese is an excellent option. It pairs well with the sharpness of cheddar cheese, as seen in some recipes. For an extra kick, you can add chopped jalapeno ribs and seeds to the cream cheese mixture. However, be cautious as cream cheese can melt quickly, so it's important to monitor the baking time to avoid a mess.
Cheddar cheese is a versatile option that can be shredded or used in block form. If you're looking for a sharper flavour, extra sharp cheddar is a great choice. When shredding your own cheddar cheese, opt for block cheese instead of pre-shredded bagged cheese, as the latter may not melt as smoothly due to the potato starch coating.
Pepper jack cheese is another flavourful option that can be used on its own or in combination with cheddar cheese. It adds a nice kick to the mildness of cream cheese. If you're looking for a milder cheese, queso fresco can be a good substitute for cream cheese.
When preparing the cheese, you'll want to ensure it is softened or shredded to easily mix with other ingredients and stuff the jalapenos. If using a block of cheese, grate it yourself for the best melting results. You can also blend different cheeses, such as cheddar and cream cheese, to create a unique flavour profile.
Additionally, you can enhance the flavour of the cheese by adding various ingredients. Fresh minced green onions, garlic powder, onion powder, dried parsley, taco seasoning, or everything bagel spice can all add depth and complexity to your cheese mixture. Don't be afraid to experiment with different combinations to find your favourite flavour profile.
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Preparing other ingredients
Preparing the jalapenos is just the first step. You'll also need to prepare your filling ingredients.
If you're going for a cream cheese filling, you'll need softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, and then some additional flavourings. Some recipes suggest adding Worcestershire sauce and garlic powder, while others add smoked paprika, honey, or seeds. You could also try adding taco seasoning, dried parsley, or onion powder. If you're going for a really creamy filling, you could add some sour cream or milk.
If you're making a meat-based filling, you'll need to cook your meat first. Try frying off some bacon, or cook some hot sausage in grease. You could also add some shrimp or barbecue sauce.
Once you've prepared your filling, mix all the ingredients together and then carefully fill each jalapeno with the mixture.
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Filling the jalapenos
To fill the jalapenos, first cut them in half lengthwise, keeping the stem on if possible. You can use disposable gloves to protect your hands from the jalapeno oil, which can burn your skin. Use a small spoon to scoop out the seeds, veins, and ribs, and discard them. If you want some extra heat, mince the tops and add them to your filling.
There are many different options for your filling. You can mix together softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, and spices such as garlic powder, onion powder, dried parsley, taco seasoning, or everything bagel spice. You can also add cooked meats such as bacon, sausage, or pancetta. If you want to add a smoky flavor, try adding smoked paprika or Worcestershire sauce.
Once you have prepared your filling, carefully fill each jalapeno with the mixture, pressing it into the shell without overflowing. You can then top each jalapeno with a baton of jack cheese, or another type of cheese.
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Cooking and serving
First, put on some disposable gloves to protect your hands from the jalapeno oil, which can burn your skin. If you don't have gloves, coat your hands with some cooking oil. Cut the jalapenos in half lengthwise, keeping the stems on if possible. Use a small spoon to scoop out the seeds and ribs/veins from each jalapeno. You can mince the tops and add them to the filling if you want some extra heat, or save them for another recipe.
Now it's time to make the filling. There are many different options for what to stuff your jalapenos with, but a common theme is cream cheese, shredded cheddar, and spices. One recipe includes two bricks of cream cheese, 1lb of cooked Jimmy Dean hot sausage, 1/2lb of shredded cheese blend, fresh minced green onions, and 1/2 a can of diced pickled jalapeno carrots. Another suggests softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and Panko crumbs. You can also add dried herbs or spices to the cheese mixture, such as taco seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, dried parsley, or even everything bagel spice.
Once you've made your filling, carefully pack it into the peppers. You can then wrap the peppers with bacon to add some extra flavour. Place the peppers on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake at 375°F for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned, and the peppers are cooked. If you're grilling, heat the grill to medium heat (340-350°F) and grill the jalapeno poppers for 10-15 minutes. If you have an air fryer, this is also a great option.
Let the jalapenos cool for 5 minutes before serving. They go well with dips such as buttermilk ranch dressing or blue cheese dip. Any leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 4 days.
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Frequently asked questions
Cut the jalapeños in half lengthwise, keeping the stem on if possible. Use disposable gloves if you have them, or coat your hands with cooking oil to protect your skin from the jalapeño oil. Use a small spoon to scrape out the seeds and ribs. If you want to reduce the heat of the jalapeños, boil them before stuffing and baking.
There are many different options for stuffing jalapeños. Popular choices include cream cheese, shredded cheddar, jack cheese, and bacon. You can also add in onions, cumin, cilantro, garlic, or barbecue sauce. If you want to add meat, try using Italian sausage or another type of sausage.
You can bake the stuffed jalapeños in the oven at 375°F for 20-30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned. You can also grill the jalapeños over medium heat (340-350°F) for 10-15 minutes. If you have an air fryer, you can cook the jalapeños in there instead of the oven to prevent the peppers from getting too soft.
Stuffed jalapeños make a great appetizer and can be served with a variety of dips and sauces. Try serving them with buttermilk ranch dressing, blue cheese dip, guacamole, or queso dip.
